Posts by techsupport
Descriptive Writing
Students are often reluctant to write because they find writing to be a boring task. One way you can counter this is to give your students descriptive writing assignments. Descriptive writing requires a student to “paint” a word picture so that the reader “sees,” “feels,” and “hears” something the student has seen, felt, and heard.…
Read MoreMaking Lectures Effective
A variety of instructional techniques are available to teachers, but the traditional lecture remains a widely used technique. This is particularly true in high school and college classes. Here are some ideas for making your lectures as effective as possible: Present ideas in a logical order. It helps to prepare an outline in advance. Stay…
Read MorePolitically Correct Gender Language
We live in a time of increasing political correctness. It is important for your students to be aware of the need to use language that will not offend anyone on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, age, and disability. Here are some examples to help your students avoid the use of discriminatory gender references. humanity…
Read MoreWord Origins
English is derived from many languages around the world. Use the following words as examples to illustrate this. typhoon – Chinese wagon – Dutch liberty – French democracy – Greek chipmunk – Native American balcony – Italian education – Latin tomato – Spanish Have your students use a dictionary to learn the origins of words…
Read MoreClassroom Feeling Tone
The feeling tone you establish in your classroom has a lot to do with your success. Students learn best when they feel comfortable with their teachers. Here are some ways to establish a positive feeling tone in your classroom. Pay attention to the needs of all your students. Use encouraging words often. Maintain pleasant eye…
Read MoreBeginning a Class Session
Every class session has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It is important to get the session off to a good start. Here are some ways you can begin a session effectively. Get ready before class. Write important information on the board including your goals for the session. Set up any equipment you might…
Read MoreCalling on Students
When teachers ask their class a question, they most often call upon students who have raised their hands. Sometimes it is useful to call upon students regardless of whether they have raised their hands. This is a simple technique in which all you have to do is ask a question and then call out the…
Read MoreGifted Students
Here are some things to do if you have gifted students in your class. Provide them with opportunities to make choices about what they learn and how they learn it. Provide them with opportunities to work with each other. Provide them with complex and challenging assignments. Allow them to pursue independent study projects. Provide opportunities…
Read MoreEarning Students’ Respect
One of the keys to establishing a well-managed classroom is to have your students respect you. Having students follow your rules and instructions because they respect you is far more effective than if they do so out of fear of consequences. Here are some simple things you can do to earn your students’ respect. Treat…
Read MoreEffective Verbal Communication
Here are some guidelines to follow whenever you want to verbally provide an important message or piece of information to your students. Wait until your class is quiet. Don’t try to compete for their attention. Use the fewest words necessary to impart the message or information. Stay with what you intend to say. Avoid responding…
Read MoreFilling Classroom Time
Often you may find a need for short activities to fill classroom time. When this occurs, here are some ideas to try. Do not spend more than 10 minutes on any one of the following. Review previously learned skills or concepts at the chalkboard. Go over homework assignments or tests that you have returned. Do…
Read MoreTeaching Science
You may find that you are required to teach science as one of your class periods. Don’t just rely on having your students memorize a bunch of facts. Make science fun and interesting. Here are some ways you can do this. Use an inquiry technique in which you prompt students to ask questions about aspects…
Read MoreExpressions from Work
Professions have their own unique vocabularies. Introducing students to expressions used in various professions is a neat way to interest students in the world of work. Here are some work expressions you can explore with your students. Working with riddles. An expression used by pharmacists to refer to their attempts to work with insurance companies.…
Read MoreFun Words for Objects
Here’s a fun way to get your students interested in the meanings of words. Each of the following words is an object whose names your students probably don’t know: Tang MacGuffin Worsted Burgee Fascinator For each word, we have provided a humorous incorrect meaning followed by the correct meaning. Introduce each word with the incorrect…
Read MoreGender Equality
Research shows some learning and behavioral differences between boys and girls. But it is important not to teach based on stereotypes, and to give boys and girls equal opportunities to participate and learn. Answer each of the following questions “Yes” or “No.” Do I expect boys to be assertive and active? Do I expect girls…
Read MoreResponding to Students’ Writing
It is often difficult to motivate students to write. It is important, therefore, to provide appropriate feedback to students’ writing. Attention must be given to errors and poor writing, but in ways that do not inhibit students from writing. Here are four guidelines to use when responding to students’ writing. Pose questions that prompt students…
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